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January 30, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

British View on ‘commerce of the Sandwich Islands’ (1829)

“During a recent visit to several of the beautiful islands of Polynesia, I recorded all the information that I could collect respecting
them, and my observations thereupon.”

“The following sketches are an attempt to describe what I beheld of the scenery of these islands, together with the manners, customs, manufactures, &c. of the people.”

“Formerly I had read much respecting the South-Sea Islands, and their scenery, productions and inhabitants, as described in the various works that I perused, captivated my imagination.”

“The importance of these islands as respects their capability of producing those articles of commerce which are peculiar to tropical climates, has not sufficiently excited the attention of the mercantile community of Great Britain.”

“As by our commerce we have attained that prosperity which ranks our country so high among European nations, every subject, which is connected with it, ought to be considered of importance …”

“… the commerce of the Sandwich Islands alone, by the industry and perseverance of the enterprising people of the United States of America, is calculated at a million and upwards of dollars annually, and may be considered to be gradually on the increase.”

“This commerce, through our neglect, has for years been enjoyed solely by the American merchants; even now, excepting two or three mercantile speculators, but of trivial importance, who are British subjects …”

“… the trade is exclusively confined to the merchants of the United States, who have laudably permitted no opportunity to escape by which their commerce might be extended, and it is gradually now on the increase over the Polynesian Islands.”

“Not only in a mercantile point of view are the Sandwich Islands of importance; their geographical situation renders them an acquisition when politically considered, more particularly since the South American States have gained their independence.”

“The Americans view those islands with a jealous eye, and dread seeing them in the possession of a foreign power; they are well aware of their importance …”

“… and the visits of their ships of war for the purpose of keeping up a close intercourse with the king and native chiefs has become of late very frequent.”

“The following account of the visit of the American ship of war Vincennes, with the accompanying document sent by the Government of the United States to the King of the Sandwich Islands, sufficiently demonstrates the interest taken by them in these islands.”

“On the 15th Capt. Finch and his officers met the king and chiefs at the palace of Kauikeaouli, where they were gratified with a friendly reception.”

“The commander of the Vincennes then read a communication of his own to the king, and gave him both the original and a translation in the native language.”

“He then read also the communication from the President of the United States to the King of the Sandwich Islands, which he had brought; the same being read also from a translation into the native language, was delivered into the hands of the king.”

“This being finished, Capt. Finch delivered the presents which the President had sent. A pair of globes, terrestrial and celestial, and a map of the United States, to the King.”

“A silver vase to Kaahumanu, with her name and the American arms upon it. Two silver goblets to Nahienaena, with her name and the American arms. A map of the world to Governor Boki; and also a map of the world to Governor Adams.”

“The missionaries at the Sandwich Islands are now solely Americans, and all communication with the government being carried on through them as interpreters, all their acts must naturally tend to benefit that country alone of which they are citizens.”

“Civilization and commerce will gradually advance, if the first undertakings in the latter are not commenced on too extensive and too expensive a system.”

“The value now attached to coco-nut oil, since the late valuable discovery of its capability of being manufactured into candles, will render it an extensive article of commerce, and the tree is abundantly produced over nearly the whole of Polynesia …”

“… varieties of flax, Béche de mer, tortoise shell, &c. are now procured, and, by attention, sugar, cotton, and other tropical produce might be readily cultivated; the sugar manufactured by Mr. Bicknell and my friend Mr. S. P. Henry, at Tahiti, was of a superior kind and of a remarkably fine flavour, and affords an instance of what these islands are capable of producing.”

“A great benefit would be conferred on the navigators of the Southern Pacific, studded as it is with an infinite number of islands, reefs, &c. and the anxiety and danger would be diminished …”

“… if the British Government would send annually a small vessel of war from Sydney, for the purpose of surveying and ascertaining accurately the positions of the various islands, groups of islands and reefs.”

“The number of new discoveries annually made by the English and American whalers are very numerous, but the situations as laid down by them, are seldom to be depended on.”

“A vessel appointed for the purpose of survey should touch at Oahu, Sandwich Islands, and Bay of Islands, New Zealand, those being the principal ports of resort for the whalers and other vessels frequenting this sea …”

“… every information respecting recent discoveries could be readily obtained at those places, and of which, during my visit to the former port in December 1829, there existed a long list, most of which were not to be found in the charts.” (George Bennett, Member Of The Royal College Of Surgeons In London; in the Islands in 1829)

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Filed Under: Economy Tagged With: Economy, British, Haaii, Commerce, American

January 22, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Sufferings of an Exile

“The Governor of Woahoo (Boki) is brother to the minister Pitt (Kalanimoku); and following his example, as soon as he was informed in what consisted the ceremony of baptism, he also became a Christian, and returned on shore with a full sense of the advantage he had derived from it.”

“The occupations of this Governor are surprising; they scarcely leave him a moment’s time to give to strangers who have to treat with him.”

“In the morning he intoxicates himself with ava; in the evening, and during the night he does the same: during the intervals of these copious libations, he proceeds reeling to the square of Anourourou, with an ample supply of knives and fish-hooks …”

“… there, in the midst of the numbers who are subject to him, he joins in the different. games, and lays bets with such of his officers as will take them.”

“He never recollects his rank but when the chances are unfavourable to him; then, under some pretext or other, he contrives to obtain restitution of part of the property which he has lost at play.”

“With the great, it is said often to be the wisest part to allow one-self to be in the wrong.”

“Commerce has attracted to this place some Americans, who, in the hope of speedily making their fortunes, established themselves here several years ago.”

“I cannot say that they carryon any regular trade here, but rather contraband: they can obtain whatever they want at so cheap a rate!”

“In the morning they take half a dozen of wine to the Governor, and the good sow is soon stretched at their feet: they make presents of a few hatchets and muskets to the principal Chiefs; all the rest of the population are then quite at the disposal of these gentlemen.”

“Some strong and active men are sent to the mountains; the forests are examined, and some sandal-wood trees are cut down: these are conveyed to the water’s edge at night by about twenty women, who are paid for either carrying or dragging them along, with a few ells of European cloth or linen; thence to be embarked on board a vessel that is always stationed in the harbour.”

“On the arrival of spring, their correspondents on the North-West coast of America come here with a cargo of furs, to obtain provisions, and increase their rich ventures with the acquisitions of their partners …”

“… and, sure of an immense profit, they push on to Macao, or Canton, to sell their cargoes to the lazy Chinese for dollars, sugar, or silks, which they know how to transmit speedily to Europe.”

“However lucrative this species of commerce may be in appearance, it has great drawbacks; nor do I know to whom the perilous activity of some, or the long solitude of others would offer attractions.”

“We are all of us much delighted with the Sandwich Islands; some new object present itself every day: we study the manners, and customs of this singular people; and the moments of relaxation which our occupations leave us, are never long enough to allow ennui to have any share in our excursions.”

“But how soon would this life of uniformity become tiresome to us; how disgusting would be these savage customs; how gloomily would pass our days, how mournfully our nights! – not a soul with whom to share our pleasures …”

“… not a friend whose cares we might alleviate; and our country, that expects us! – how much more attractive to me is a moderate fortune in my native land, than the greatest riches on a foreign shore!”

“Remote from the paternal soil, the air is frozen, nature discoloured, the fruits tasteless, even the very waters bear with them a slow poison.”

“The sky, the earth, the trees, the clouds, every thing presages evil, and seems to attack the springs of life. The most trifling event is regarded as an extraordinary occurrence; the fruit that withers, the leaf that falls, congeals your soul …”

“… the lessening sail seems to bear away your last hope; and you die, vainly calling upon a country, which you are destined never to see more. Alas! What must be the sufferings of an exile!”

All is from ‘Narrative of a Voyage Round the World’ by Jacques Arago (March 6, 1790 – November 27, 1855), a French writer, artist and explorer who joined Louis de Freycinet on his 1817 voyage around the world aboard the ship Uranie.

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Na Mokupuni O Hawaii Nei-Kalama 1837
Na Mokupuni O Hawaii Nei-Kalama 1837

Filed Under: General, Economy Tagged With: Hawaii, Commerce

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People, places, and events in Hawaiʻi’s past come alive through text and media in “Images of Old Hawaiʻi.” These posts are informal historic summaries presented for personal, non-commercial, and educational purposes.

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